A professor of psychology, Remi Alarape, has expressed support for the federal government’s plan to introduce mandatory drug integrity tests for students seeking admission into secondary and tertiary institutions. 

Mr Alarape, also the head of the Department of Psychology at the University of Ibadan, stated this in an interview on Monday in Ota.

He said the policy could aid early detection of substance abuse and enable timely intervention before drug use begins to affect students’ academic performance or compromise campus safety.

According to him, making drug testing part of admission requirements could also discourage students from experimenting with drugs.

“The policy can serve a constructive purpose if it is implemented primarily as a health and support intervention rather than as a disciplinary tool.

“There should be clear safeguards for privacy, consent and due process to ensure that students are not unfairly excluded or stigmatised,” he said.

Mr Alarape said advocates of the policy believed it would help maintain safer learning environments and align with integrity and health screening already practised in some professions and public service roles.

The don, however, noted that the proposed policy had generated debate over concerns relating to privacy, fairness and effectiveness.

He said critics argued that mandatory testing without individual suspicion could infringe on students’ rights to privacy and personal autonomy.

According to him, concerns also persist over the possible stigma associated with positive results, as well as the handling of false positives and false negatives.

He added that some stakeholders questioned whether resources earmarked for testing would be better invested in counselling, prevention programmes and mental health services.

“Practical issues around who conducts the tests, how sensitive data is stored, and safeguards against misuse of results remain central to the debate,” he said.

Mr Alarape said the success and acceptance of the policy would depend largely on the legal framework guiding student rights and the level of engagement with key stakeholders.

He listed the stakeholders as the Federal Ministry of Education, university administrators, student unions, medical associations and human rights groups.

The Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, had on May 11 announced plans by the federal government to introduce drug integrity tests for secondary school and university students. 

(NAN)